§ Mr. BOWERMANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he has seen the statement made by the London Dried Fruit Trades Association that the Ministry is now selling currants, raisins, etc., at prices which show profits on currants £15 per ton, on raisins and sultanas up to £18 per ton, on figs £8 per ton, and on dates £9 per ton; and whether he is prepared to reduce the present prices?
§ Mr. PARKERI understand that the figures quoted in the statement are greatly exaggerated. It is estimated that when stocks have been cleared a small profit will be realised on the sale of currants, raisins, and dates, but that there will be a loss on sultanas and figs, with the result that neither a profit nor a loss will be made on the transaction as a whole. In these circumstances, it is not possible to reduce the selling prices of dried fruits.
§ Mr. BOWERMANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that members of the London Dried Fruit Trades Association are prepared to sell Vostizza currants in warehouse ready for immediate delivery at a price which, after payment of carriage, charges, distribution, and grocers' profits at the rate now paid by the Department, will enable the grocer to sell them at 2d. per pound less than the price fixed for inferior fruit: whether the Ministry will not allow these currants to be sold in this country except for shipment abroad; and why consumers are to continue to be deprived of the opportunity of purchasing currants at a price lower than the one now prevailing?
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§ Mr. PARKERMy right hon. Friend is aware that a small quantity of Vostizza currants has been imported on private account and that delivery cannot be taken by the importers by reason of the Dried Fruit (Restriction) Order, 1919. Before the currants were imported, all persons concerned were notified of the prices at which the Ministry of Food would be willing to take them over, but after their arrival the importers were not prepared to hand them over at these prices nor were they prepared to sell them to the Ministry of Food, at a price which, after payment of all charges, would enable grocers to sell them at 2d. per lb. below the maximum. In these circumstances, no preferential treatment can be accorded to those persons who imported the currants with full knowledge of the price which the Ministry of Food was prepared to pay.